Apparatus for preventing theft



Aug. '19, 1924.-

' 1,505,728 M. RAYFORD APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THEFT Filed July 13. 192 2 Sheena-Sheet l ffnvenznr Mafhew fiayford.

1923 2 Sheets-Shem 2 M RAYFORD APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THEFT Fild July 13.

Aug. 19 1924.

Mal /79W Ray/ d" Patented Aug. 19, 1924.

IVIATHEl/V RAYFORD, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING THEFT.

Application filed July 13, 1923. Serial No. 651,214.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MA'rI-Inw RAYronD, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvanimliave invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Preventing Theft, of which the following is a specification. I

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus suitable for banks andother purposes where money or valuable goods are to be handled or displayech said apparatus adapted to seal or confine the money or goods against theft or burglary and at the same time to, preferably sound an alarm or operate a signal, the apparatus being put into operation by a movable switch or other means under the control of the teller or other oilicer of the bank or any person in "attendance where the money or valuable goods are located and exposed. a

My invention is useful more particularly in banking institutions where large quantities of moneyare being handled and, exposed and especially in connection with the paying tellers department; and in applying my invention as a protective measure against thefts of a hold-up nature, the money while normally exposed for handling bythe teller himself may be instantly sealed'within a steel compartment arranged to automatically act in a self-sealing manner upon the teller pressing a switch with his foot or by an auxiliary switchbeing closed or operated at a distant place by an observer of the attempted holdup or theft, it being desirable that the automatic act-ion of the sealing means for the compartment shall be electrically operated and which having once started in action continues until'the compartment is sealed. 9'

With the above and other objects in View, the nature of which will be more fully understood from the description hereinafter, the invention consists in the novelconstruction of apparatus for preventing theft, as

hereinafter more fully described and ,de-

fined in the claims. i k

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a sectional view transversely of the tellers desk or counter and with my improved selfsealing cabinet thereon in sealedcondition;

Fig. Q'is a plan View of the same withportions broken away to show the interior con-- struction; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional View of the seallng cover; Fig.4 1s a vertical sectional view on line 4 4i of Fig. 2, show ing the automatic mechanism for controlling the operationofthe cover; Fig. 5 is aver-, tical section through aself-sealing cabinet illustrating amodification of the cabinet shown in Fig.1; Fig. 6 is a Vertical section showing a modified form ofmy invention especially adapted for enclosing or sealing cash registers or other objects, such'as money or jewels, which may beexposed on a counter; and Fig. 7 is an enlarged'view, with part section, of: the locking. means. em-' ployed in connection with the device shown in Fig.6.

Referring to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to i, inclusive, 2 is a sheet metalcab- 'inetand arranged to rest upon and be secured to a counter 5, such as may be employed in anyvbank, and preferably this cabinet is closed on all sides but the top, where it is open, as shown at 8, and moreover, the cabinet is preferably shallow in a vertical direction and extended backward for thewidth of the counter and the sidewise width of the cabinet may be as large as desired, according to the purposes to which the apparatus is to be applied. Preferably,

the rearend ofthe cabinet is higher than the forward end, so that the front plate 4: thereof may bequite shallow so as not to form a material obstruction for ready handling of the contents of the compartment 6 of the cabinet inwhich the money 7 or other articles are placed, the rear end being made higher than the forward end so as to give as great. capacity to the compartment 6 as possible. ,8 is a closure or cover which maybe made of transverse bars 10 of sheet metal secured at each end to sprocket chains 9, said chains acting as carriers for the closure orcover 8and guided about-sprocket wheels 11 at the forward end, and 12-and 13 at the rear end of the cabinet. At the forward end, the sprocket wheels are journaled upon studsQO secured to the sides of the cabinet, whereas at the rear end, the

sprocket wheels 12 may be secured to a partment 6, and also a false floor at the bottom below and to the sides of which the myself to any particular character of closure.

Inthe particular instance shown, it is of a flexible nature and when the apparatus is set with the closure in open position, the sprocket chains would be adjusted so that the closure is moved forward and then backward under the floor 18 of the inner casing.

Referring now to the means for operating the sprocket chains, and'more particularly aS shown in Figs. 1, 2 and l, the driving shaft 16 carrying the sprocket wheels 13 has upon it a pinion 27 which meshes with the gear 26, the latter being secured upon a shaft 22 having thereon aworm whee 23 meshing with a worm 2st which is driven by an electric motor 25, said mechanism being enclosed within a compartment 21 whose casing 21 is secured to the side of the cabinet 2. as" indicated more fully in Fig. 2. As shown,-the worm 24% is loosely sleeved upon the motor shaft '39 and has a flanged extension at one end which rests against an annular friction pad 36 carried by a flanged hub 84:, said hub caused. to rotate with the shaft by reason of the key or spline while at the same time permit it to have slight longitudinal movement thereon. The hub it rests against a coil spring 37 surrounding the shaft and restin at the other end upon a'collar 38 secured to the shaft. 41 are nuts screwed upon the threaded end of the shaft 39 for adjusting the worm longitudi nally upon the shaft and for creatingany desired driving friction between the flanged hub 34 and its friction pad 36 on the one hand, and the flanged end 33 of the worm 24: on the other, this friction being sufficient to insure positive driving of the worm wheel and its shaft 22 by the motor 25 but allow slippage between the motor shaft and worm 24. in of the abrupt stopping o e vv orm wheel, for reasons hereinafter explained. v

Any other suitablefriction drive between the motor shaft and the worm may be employed, if so desired. The worm wheel 23 is provided with a laterally extending pin 28 which is adapted to come in contact with the endofa side arm 29, said arm being formed as a bell crank pivoted 30 and having an operating handle extension 31 projecting through afslot in the casing,

fully indicated in Fig. at. As the worm wheel is driven by the motor in'the direction of the arrow, it will be manifest that when the pin 28 reaches the stoparm 29, as shown in Fig. l, the worm wheel will be prevented from having further rotation, and should the motor have any momentum suflicient to prevent its instantly stopping the friction device composed of the parts 33, 3d and 86, will permit slippage so that the worm wheel is assured of stopping positively and without excessive strain upon the motor or connecting means.

In addition to the pin 28, the worm wheel 23 is also provided with a pin 51 for operating electric switches shown more fully in 49 is an electric switch and composed of a spring arm having a contact at its free end and a laterallyprojecting portion 50 intermediate of its ends. hen the Worm wheel 23 is arrested in its position shown in Fig. 4, the pin 51 will be as shown compressing upon the portion 50 of the spring switch and forcing it backward so that it breaks contact with the other contact member 52 and opens the motor circuit, so that the motor comes to rest automatically when the worm wheel 23 has its pin 28 brought'in contact with the stop 29. The battery or source of electric power 45 has one terminal connected by a wire 48 with the spring switch member 49 and has its other terminal connected with the motor by circuits 46 having a foot switch 47 therein and circuits 46 having a hand switch 47* therein. These circuits 4:6 and 46 are in parallel andconnect with one terminal of the motor.

The other terminal of the motor is con nected by a circuit 53 with the fixed terminal' member 52 of the switch 4-9. 53'is a signal circuit extending from the terminal of the battery opposite to which the motor circuit illie connected and leads to and is connected with a spring contact terminal 55, and also includes an electric alarm or gong Intern'iediate between the spring contact terminal. 55 and the free end of the spring switch 4-9 is another spring switch contact 56 having a connection with an electric circuit 57 which includes a hand switch 61 and a relay 58, said circuit 57 extending to andconnecting with the circuit 48 leading to the battery 45. The relay 58 is prefer-' ably arranged at a police station and controls thereat an electric circuit 59 in which is arranged an electric bell 60 and other signal means such as an electric light, whereby when operated, the oflicers in charge will know that there is a call for assistance at the bank. v

Considering theoperation of the switches -19, 55 and 56, it will be seen that when the pin 51 presses the spring contact 49 backward, it; closes the: circuit from battery minal of the battery. At this time, both the alarm gong 54 and the call signal 60 at thepolice station will be operated. As a further increase in current may be needed for-the gong 54, this may be had by the contact 56 pressing upon the contact 55 and dividing the. current from contact 49 partly overcircuit 57 and partly direct to the circuit'53 having the gong through a resistance a: which would prevent any possibleshort circuiting of the distant relay 58. When the police have reached the bank, the switch 61 may be opened to stop the signalling at the police station, and if desired, a switch y in circuit 53 may also be opened to stop the action of the alarm gong 54;. Where this switch 3 is employed in circuit 53, the switch 61 may be omitted as the switch y will control the operation of both the gong and the relay 58. v I

Any other suitable system of circuitsand switches operated by the worm wheel 23, if so desired, may be employed. Furthermore, it will be understood that while I preferto employ a worm and worm wheel drive so as to permit as small a motor as possible to be used for economy and smallness of construction, I do not limit myself to any particular power transmitting means.

It will be noted that the end ofthe stop arm 29 is made angular so as to provide a socket 32 directed in the opposite direction of the stop end of the arm, and the purpose of this will now be described. If we assume that either of the switches 47 or 47? were closed and the electric motor 25 had run sufficiently to close the cabinet by bringing the closure 8 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and also to bring the'pin51 into the position shown in Fig. 4, to open the motor circuit, the parts will then be at rest and the valuable contents of the cabinet will be sealed and protected against theft. When, however, it is desired tore-set the apparatus with the closure in the open position, the stop lever 29 is raised by pressing upon the handle 31 and then with the key 44 (Fig. 2) extended through a slot 43 in.

casing 21 and applied to the square end 42 of the motor shaft, the motor is rotated sufiiciently to rotate the worm wheel 23 tobring the pin 28 to the dotted position 28 and the pin 51 to the dotted position 51 and whereupon the spring switches 49,65 and 56 spring back out of contact with each other and the spring contact arm .49is.

brought into contact with the fixed terminal 52. If the switches 47 and 47 or either of them were closed, it is manifest that when the switches 52 and 49 made contact, the motor would start up again, and, of course, it is to he underwent]. that these switches 47 and 47 are open'before, re-setting the worm wheel 23,'as above stated. i

It willbe understood that while I have described the adjustment for putting the worm wheel 23in its reset or starting position, it will be necessary, however, to open the switches, not only the switches 47 and 47, but also the switch 3 and then turn the motor shaft with the key 44 until the closure 8 of the cabinet is fully opened andthereupon the stop lever 29 is permitted to drop into the position shown in Fig. 4, and the pin 28 brought to a position 28 in contact with the saidstop lever. Thereafter, the switch yis closedand also the switch 61 (if it is used) and; the'apparatus is in position for automatic operation should either the switch 47 or 47 be closed as before described. i v 4 Referring to Fig. 5, the'cabinet in this case. is marked 2 and may be of sheet metaland the opening to the compartment 6 therein may be closed when desiredby a hinged cover 8 which is normally held open by means of a trigger 62 adapted to be op-. erated by an electro-magnet 25* having a movable core, which, when energized,op erates the trigger to release the cover which is then pulleddown by a spring 61 to close the cabinet. When the cover snaps down, the-hook 64 engages the spring actuated catch 63 and locks it'in closed position. This latch 63 may be released in any suit able manner, as by. use of a key or otherwise, as is commonly employed in boxes having lids which snap in locked position when closed. The coils of the magnet 25 are arranged in the circuit with the batteryand with the switches .47and 4'7 in substantially the same. manner. as in thecase-of the con struction shown in Fig. '4, with the exception that in this case there will be no IIQCQS-I sity for the use of the particular motor mechanism shown in Fig. 4, since one impulseof the electro-magnet is allthat is necsary to "insure the closing of the cabinet. It will also be understood that the signal switches 49, 55 and'56 shown in Fig. 4 may I be operated by the heel extension of the cover 8*, just as they are operated by the pin 51 in Fig. 4.

Referring nowto Figs. 6 and 7, showing another embodiment of my. invention, 1 have illustrated the same in connection with the protection of a cash register 65, though 'it will be understood that the protecting casing 66 may be usedto close down over money, jewelryor any. other things of value that are to be protected just as it will close over the cash register. It will beunderstood that the shape of this enclosing casing 66 may'he .varied either as to height or hori sirable orsuitable for the particular things zontalsectional area, as may be found deunder it. The counter or table upon which the cash register rests is provided with a metallic guide frame 69 in which a vertical rod 68 is guided, the upper end of the rod being riveted to the casing 66, so that the latter may be held down to the counter or may be elevated above the cash register by means of the said rod. "If desired, there may be more than one rod, though that is not necessary in ordinary cases. "When the rod is fully raised to expose the cash register, the lower end of said rod will be engaged by a latch 72 which holds it in its raised position. The weight of the solenoid core 73 tends to keep the latch in engage- I ment. As shown, the latch is of a pivotal bell crank construction hinged to the frame or casing 69 and having its rearwardly extending arm also hinged to the core 73. 7t is a solenoid in which the core reciprocates, the said solenoid being secured to the frame 69 andhavingone of its terminals connected with it. The other terminal is connected by a circuit 46 with one pole of the battery 4:5, the other pole being connected 1 y a circuit 48 with a spring contact 5O which presses against the sliding rod 68, to complete the circuit with the solenoid when the manually operated switch 47 in said cir-, cuit 46 is closed. Normally, the said switch 47 is in open position. 57 is a signal circuit containing the relay 58 which controls the electric signal means 60 which may be of the same construction as in the case described, in connection with Fig. 4. One terminal of the circuit 57 is connected with one pole of the battery 4-5 through a switch 61, whereas the other terminal of said circuit 57 is connected to a spring contact 56, pressing against the sliding rod 68. lVhen the rod is down and the cash register enclosed and protected, as in Fig. 6, it will. be seen that the circuit from the battery 45 is closed to the contact 56' through thecircuit 48 and spring contact 50 and the signal will, there fore, be sounded to indicate that the casing 66 has descended to protect the cash register from theft. lVhen, however, the rod 68 is fully raised to lift the casing 66 and expose the cash register, the lower end of said rod will be supported by the latch 72 at an elevation which holds it out of contact with the spring switch 56, and, therefore, dur ing this normal suspension, the signal circuit 57 will not be energized. Assuming that the rod 68 was thus supported in elevated position, it will only be necessary in case of danger of theft to close the switch 47 (of whatever nature it may be) whereupon the latch is drawn back and the rod released. The cash register will be enclosed by the casing and the descent of the rod will put the alarm 60 into operation. To prevent the cabinet casing 66- being manually lifted after its-descent, any suitable locking means may be employed, and I have indicated one manner of providing such locking means, the same being shown more fully in Fig. 7. This lockingmeans consists of a hinged bolt arranged within a recess in the bar 68 and spring pressed outwardly by a coil spring 71. The lower end of thebolt 70 is pivoted and consequently when the rod descends through the slotin the lower part of the frame 69, the bolt acts as a pawl first moving inward and as soon as it passes the guide, it snaps outwardly into locking position as shown. It will then be seen that the rod cannot be lifted and consequently the casing 66 is also retained in locked position. To raise the rod, it is only necessary to press in the hinged bolt 7 O and push the rod upwardly. Any other suitable locking means may be employed. It will be further understood that this mechanism for controlling the rod 68 and its casing 66 would be conveniently sealed against being tampered with, though it is not necessary to illustrate that featureof the invention, since the spirit of such sealing of the operative parts is amply illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

From the foregoing, 'it will be understood that my invention is adapted for protection against thefts or robbery'under a variety of conditions and hence while it is more especially adapted for banks and financial institutions in which large quantities of money are handled and exposed to view, it nevertheless is also adapted for use where any valuables in stores or oflices may require automatic protection against theft or burglary and which could not be removed or handled under such conditions to insure safety;

It will now be apparent thatl have devised a novel and useful construction which embodies the features of advantage enumerated as desirable, and while I have in the present instance shown and described the preferred embodiment thereof which has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood that I do not restrict myself to the details,

as the same are susceptible of modification in various particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having nowdescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a protective device of the character stated, the combination of a cabinet in which the money or valuables may be placed, a movable closure for said cabinet, an electric motor and connecting means for moving the closure from open to closed position, a source of electric energy, circuits leading from the source of energy the motor, a manually controlled switch in the circuit for putting the motor into operation.

and means for arresting the movement of the closure when it has been brought to its closed position.

2. The invent-ion according to claim 1,'

wherein the cabinet is open at the top and the closure consists of transverse plates hinged together and provided with operating chains, driving and guiding means for the chains, said driving means operated by the electric motor and connecting means and the chains and guiding means enclosed within the cabinet so as to be wholly protected thereby.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the cabinet is provided with an inner compartment and forming a false floor under which the closure may pass when shifted to the open position.

a. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the electric motor and connecting means for driving the closure is enclosed within a casing and provided with adetachable key whereby the motor shaft may be reached through the casing, and manually rotated for re-setting the closure to the open position.

5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means driven by the motor is provided with an electric switch mechanism for opening the motor clrcuit automatically when the closure has been shifted to the closed position.

6. In a protective device of the character stated, the combination of a cabinet in which the money or valuables may be placed, a movable closure for said cabinet, an electric motor and connecting means for moving the closure from open to closed position provided with an electric switch mechanism for opening the motor circuit automatically when the closure has been shifted to the closed position, a source of electric energy, circuits leading from the source of energy to the motor, a manually controlled switch in the circuit for putting the motor into operation, means for arresting themovement of the closure when it has beenbrought to its closed position, and wherein the motor is provided with a friction drive which may yield under the inertia of the revolving element of the motor when the connecting means for operating the closure is brought to rest with the closure in its open position.

7. In a protective device of the character stated, the combination of a cabinet in which the money or valuables may be placed, a movable closure for said cabinet, an electric motor andconnecting means for moving the closure from open to closed po sition provided with an electric switch mechanism for opening the motor circuit automaticallyv when the closure has been shifted to the closed position, a source of electric'energy, circuits leading from the source ofenergy to the motor, a manually controlled switch in the circuit for, putting the motorinto operation, means for arresting the movement of the closure when it has been brought to its closed position, and wherein further, the means for bringing the motor and connecting means torest when the closure is opened is manually adjustable, whereby the connecting means between the "motor and the closure may be manually set to an adjusted position which opens the automatic electric switch for the motor and positions the parts for being put into operation by the closure of the manually controlled switch.

8. The invention according to claim 1, wherein further, the closure is automatically locked against being opened, after it has been moved to closed position, and wherein further, separate manually operable means are lprovided for releasing the closure and re -setting it to open position.

In testimony of which invention, I hereunto set my hand.

MATHE W RAYFORD. 

